Man jailed for spit threat to hospital security staff

A man who threatened staff at a hospital, a cinema and a supermarket during a spate of anti-social behaviour has been jailed.

Darren Makinson told security guards at Pinderfields Hospital that he had hepatitis before threatening to spit at them.

Leeds Crown Court heard Makinson, 40, went to the hospital in Wakefield on October 31 as he had a cut above his eye.

Anthony Moore, prosecuting, said police were called after he was spotting stealing sandwiches in the canteen.

He was escorted back to the casualty department but returned to the canteen again an hour later. Makinson became abusive and made threats when approached by security guards.

A week before the incident Makinson had made threats to the manager and a member of staff at Cineworld in Wakefield after they caught him inside the building after it had closed.

On September 1 he was seen stealing packs of bacon and chicken from a Tesco store on Barnsley Road, Wakefield.

Makinson pulled out a four-inch blade and threatened staff when they challenged him.

He ran off but was arrested a short time later still in possession of the stolen items.

The blade was also found nearby.

Makinson, of Willow Park, Pontefract, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article, threatening behaviour, theft, failing to surrender to custody, breach of a criminal behaviour order and breach of a probation order.

The court heard Makinson’s offending was linked to drug abuse.

Matthew Harding, mitigating, said Makinson accepted that he must face a custodial sentence.

Judge Geoffrey Marson, QC, said: “Those who behave like that in a public place, particularly in a hospital, must understand that the courts will do what they can to prevent offending such as this.”